We are seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Designer to join our Preschool Entertainment Product Design Team. The group is focused on creating new product opportunities from a beloved game franchise translated into pre-school products. Through understanding the preschool consumer, trends and technology are then made into successful product. This involves creating and communicating toy concepts in 2D and/or 3D models to design and marketing management.
In this role, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to create toys that ignite imagination, and capture the essence of the brand while adhering to our high standards of quality and innovation.
The ideal candidate would have a strong Passion for Preschool toys, pop culture, video games, and anime. Would be creative and imaginative, and have the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, creative environment while managing multiple projects.
This will be a hybrid role with four days in the El Segundo office.
What Your Impact Will Be:
- Design a diverse range of preschool entertainment toys, including plush toys, figures, playsets, and more, from concept ideation to final product development.
- Collaborate with brand managers, content creators, and licensing partners to understand the Entertainment brand identity, characters, and storytelling elements, and translate them into compelling toy concepts and designs.
- Conduct comprehensive market research and trend analysis to identify opportunities for innovative toy concepts and product extensions that resonate with fans and meet the needs of preschool-aged children.
- Generate creative ideas, sketches, renderings, and 3D models to visualize toy concepts and effectively communicate design concepts to cross-functional teams
- Incorporate play-based learning principles, developmental milestones, and age-appropriate features into toy designs to promote cognitive, social, and emotional development in preschoolers.
- Work closely with engineers, sculptors, and manufacturers to refine designs, ensure feasibility, safety, and adherence to quality standards, and oversee the prototyping and production process.
- Mentor junior designers, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning within the design team.
- Iterate on toy designs based on internal feedback, user testing, and market insights to optimize play value, functionality, and appeal while staying true to the brand essence.
- Stay up-to-date on technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes to innovate and improve toy designs while maintaining cost-effectiveness
- Present concepts, design and models to design and marketing management, incorporating feedback and revisions to achieve project goals and objectives.
What We’re Looking For:
- 4+ years of toy design experience
- Must be proficient in Photoshop, Illustrator and 2D computer programs
- Strong written and verbal communications skills
- Adobe Creative Suite proficiency
- Knowledge of material and manufacturing process
- Ability to work autonomously and in a team environment, team player
- Ability to project manage, and multi-tasking
- Interest and knowledge of the current trends. Understanding of features and play patterns in the toy industry is a plus.
- Passion in video game, preschool entertainment franchises or animated series
- Portfolio demonstrating strong design excellence and superior problem solving
- Strong organizing and project management skills
- Passionate about toys and design
- Good eyes on design details and aesthetics
- Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.
The annual base salary range for this position is between $76,800.00 and $110,000.00.
**This range is indicative of projected hiring range, however annual base salary will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience.